Yesterday, I had a brilliant moment.
Yesterday, was a brilliant day.
Yesterday I went into the magazine office to attend a meeting and do some work. During lunch, I got a call from my boss, who was traveling. She offered me a full-time job. No more freelance work.
Of course, I accepted.
Not only have I loved working at this particular company, and doing the work that I do, but the salary and benefits are great. For someone who has a boatload of experience, but has never worked an "official" 40-hour week before, I was ecstatic.
My husband was, too. Finally, we can stop stressing out about our finances. Finally, between the two of us, we can save some real money so we can accomplish the things we want so much in life: A home in the country. A little ground to call our own. Opportunities for our kids. Maybe even travel a little.
At one point, not so long ago, I was so gung-ho about being a stay-at-home mom that some people might be confused about my choice to switch to full-time work. Personally, I think most stay-at-home moms would understand. I did that line of "work" (and it is work) for a while, and I loved it. I could still do it, and be happy enough. But I've found that since I went back to a paid job, even part-time, I was a happier person. I have an active mind, and was trained in a profession I love. It was hard for me to leave that, but for the benefit of my child, I did it, and I have no regrets.
I was lucky to find a new job that's close to home, where deadlines aren't as immediate, and the people who work there are so flexible and supportive when family's involved. (I don't say the last part lightly. Before I started full-time, the managing editor and editor both came to me and asked, genuinely concerned, how it might cut into my family life. I loved that.)
I've found, too, that since I've been working, I'm not as impatient and demanding about the day-to-day family stuff. I hate being away from my son all day, but instead of being worried about whether the dishes are done, I'm worried about whether he's been read to enough. When I come home from work, all I want to do is spend quality time with him and my husband.
Ah, my husband. I can't forget him. If he weren't my best friend, none of this would work. He's so supportive of me, of us, and of our goals. He's willing to keep working night shift, and sacrifice sleep so we don't have to put our son in daycare. I'm not even sure if he realizes how much that means to me. He's not just a good husband, but a great father.
I know the following weeks will be tough. Sam and I will likely both be short of sleep (him more than me) and short of free time ... hell, short of time together, even. But I'm confident we'll make it work. We're a team, and always have been.
Finally, I feel like we're moving forward in life instead of treading water. And I couldn't be happier.
